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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using nicotine transdermal (Habitrol, Nicoderm, Nicoderm C-Q, Nicoderm C-Q Clear, Nicotine System Kit)?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have:

• coronary heart disease, chest pain (angina), or heart rhythm disorder;
• circulation problems, Raynaud's syndrome;
• history of stroke, blood clot, or heart attack;
• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• liver or kidney disease;
• type 1 diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder;
• a stomach ulcer;
• asthma, bronchitis, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• if you have skin problems that will interfere with wearing a skin patch; or
• if your skin is sensitive to adhesive tape or bandages.

Nicotine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication if you are breast-feeding unless your doctor has told you to.

Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy can cause low birth weight, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Using a nicotine replacement product during pregnancy or while breast-feeding may be safer than smoking. However, you should try to stop smoking without using a nicotine replacement product if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Talk with your doctor about the best way for you to stop smoking.

The nicotine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the patch before undergoing such a test.

How should I use nicotine transdermal (Habitrol, Nicoderm, Nicoderm C-Q, Nicoderm C-Q Clear, Nicotine System Kit)?

Nicotine transdermal is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include counseling, group support, and behavior changes. Your success will depend on your participation in all aspects of your smoking cessation program.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Your patch strength and number of weeks of treatment will depend on how many cigarettes you smoked daily before quitting. Follow the guide in the patient instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Apply the patch to clean, dry, and hairless skin on your chest or the outer part of your upper arm. Press the patch firmly into place for about 10 seconds to make sure it sticks. You may leave the patch on while bathing, showering, or swimming.

If a patch falls off, try sticking it back into place. If it does not stick well, put on a new patch.

Remove the skin patch after 24 hours and replace it with a new one.

Choose a different place on your body to wear the patch each time you put on a new one. Do not use the same skin area twice within 7 days.

Do not wear more than one nicotine patch at a time. Never cut a skin patch.

After removing a skin patch fold it in half, sticky side in, and put it back into its pouch.

Wash your hands after applying or removing a nicotine skin patch.

You may wear a Habitrol patch for 24 hours.

You may wear a Nicoderm CQ patch for 16 or 24 hours (wear for 24 hours if you crave cigarettes when you wake up in the morning).

Do not wear a nicotine patch at night if you have vivid dreams or trouble sleeping.

Do not use nicotine patches for longer than 8 weeks without the advice of your doctor.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each patch in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it. You may save the pouch to use for throwing away used patches.

Keep both used and unused nicotine patches out of the reach of children or pets.

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